The University of Peace honoured Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on March 8, Friday, with the degree of 'Doctor of Philosophy' (Doctor Honoris Causa) from the Dean of the University of Peace in the Costa Rican capital of San Jose for his contribution "to the Rule of Law, democracy and sustainable development in India".

"This (Honorary Doctorate) is more an honour for my country than to me as an individual. It is an honour bestowed on a country, a civilization and a culture that has been an ardent and consistent champion of peace since time immemorial. I am privileged to receive this honour when the world is commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gandhi Ji, the extraordinary apostil of peace," he said.

Previously, Naidu was the chairman of UN Habitat that seeks to promote affordable housing under the Sustainable Development Goals.

Urging the people to see others as their own kin, Dr. Naidu said, "The ability to appreciate and celebrate the fascinating diversity in thoughts, languages, cultures and religious beliefs is the foundation for our ability to live together. Peace begins with our search for common bonds that unite us rather than when we look for and accentuate the differences."

He also asserted that Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism shun violence and stress on the overarching themes of universal brotherhood and peaceful co-existence.

The University of Peace was founded to a resolution of United Nations' General Assembly in December, 1980 incorporating an International Agreement for the establishment of the University of Peace with the mandate of "Engaging in dissemination of knowledge fundamental to the full development of the human person and societies through interdisciplinary study of all matters relating to peace".